Annual report of the managers of the Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, to the stockholders, November 16, 1830

ANNUAL UEl'OUT

OF

THE MANAGERS

OF

THE UNION CANAL COMFANY
or FENNSITLVANIA,

TO

THE STOCKHOLDERS.

November 16, 1830.

PHJLADELPHM:
PRINTED BY LYDIA R. BAILEY,

NO. 10, NORTH ALLEY.
1830.

AT the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the
Union Canal Company of Pennsylvania, held at their
Office, in Carpenter^ s Court, JVovemher 16th 1830,
the following Report was presented, read, and accept-
ed; and is now printed in compliance with the provi-
sions of the Charter.

On the same day, the following Gentlemen were
elected to manage the affairs of the Company for the
ensuing year.

PRESIDENT.

WILLIAM READ.

managers.

George Vaux, Peter Hahn,

William Boyd, William Y. Birch,

Charles Graff, Samuel Baird, of Reading.

William W. Fisher, Henry J. Williams,

Jacob Gratz, Thomas W. Morris,

Francis G. Smith, John A. Leamy.

Engineei's now in the employment of the Company.

Canvass White, Chief Engineer.
William Lehman, Resident Engineer.

W MiLNOs RoBEUTS, ) ^^^.^^^^ Engineers.
r. Gorton, \ °

REPORT.

The Board of Managers of the Union Canal Company,
in conformity with the provisions of the Charter, now
lay before the Stockholders a view of the works com-
mitted to their charge, the amount of tonnage passed
on the Canal, and a statement of the financial concerns
of the Company for the last twelve months.

The Managers have great pleasure in confirming the
assurances heretofore given of the stability of all the
works along the line, from Reading to Middletown, as
no breaks or injuries, except of a trifling character,
have occurred since the last report.

The navigation on the Union Canal opened on the
27th of March last, but owing to the state of the works
of the Schuylkill Navigation Company, no boats passed
upwards until the 11th of April. A delay of several
weeks was also experienced during the most important
part of the season, in consequence of the alterations and
additions on the Schuylkill, rendered necessary by the
increasing trade of that river.

From the commencement of the season, until the
middle of August, the Canal had a plentiful supply of
water at the summit level ; the weekly report of tolls
gave satisfactory proof of the flourishing state of the
inland trade, and held forth the most flattering hopes
for the future ; particularly, as at that time, no advan-

( 4 )

tage was derived from the trade of the State Canal, nor
has it, until very recently, contributed to increase the
revenue of the Union Canal.

The Managers have, however, lately been gratified
by the arrival at the city wharves on the Schuylkill, of
boats from Lewistown and Mifflin, on the Juniata; from
Berwick and Danville, on the East Branch, and from
Milton, on the West Branch, of the Susquehanna,
bringing with them the produce of those distant re-
gions, all having passed through the Union Canal, which
now forms a complete line of communication between
the waters of the Delaware and the Susquehanna.

The Board enjoy great satisfaction in being enabled
to state, that experience has fully verified their expec-
tations, as heretofore expressed, relative to the burden
of boats on the Canal. It is now fully ascertained, that
boats properly constructed, do actually carry more than
25 tons, and some have even exceeded 30 tons. A boat
built at Lebanon, called The Lorenzo, has carried up-
wards of 30 tons, at various times. The Ann-Mary,
built at Middletown, has carried 1076 bushels of wheat,
equal to 27 tons ; and the Isaac Koons, and other boats,
have carried 275 barrels of flour, upwards of 26 tons.
They also observe with particular satisfaction, that the
boats which have been recently built on the Susque-
hanna, are according to the best models, and much
superior to those first brought into use. Two hundred
and seventy-one boats have been employed in the car-
rying trade, on the Union Canal, during the present
season, and a number more have been or are about to
be constructed along the Susquehanna, for the business
of the ensuing year.

The extreme drought, and the unfinished state of
the Great Dam, rendered it impossible to supply the

( 5 )

summit level with siifTicicnt water for the passage of
boats throughout the season ; and tiie Managei*s had
occasion to regret that several were detained for a con-
siderable period in the Canal. Though this circum-
stance occasioned the Board great solicitude at the
time, it was caused more by the disappointment and
delays to individuals, than from any fears entertained
by them of the ultimate and entire success of the Ca-
nal, when the water from the Great Dam can be brought
to aid in supplying the summit level.

During the last summer, and part of the autumn, the
extreme dryness in that quarter occasioned a stoppage
on the Canal of about 65 days. The water which the
Great Reservoir will contain, has been estimated by Mr.
White as sulUcient for upwards of 200 days ; with this
addition to the supply of former years, they consider
as groundless all fears of a deficiency for the future.

At the last annual meeting, the Managers confidently
expressed a belief, that the Great Dam would have been
finished before the commencement of the dry season ;
in this they experienced a disappointment, owing to
the magnitude of the work itself, as well as the exten-
sive operations necessary for constructing the towing
path along the Reservoir, and clearing away and destroy-
ing the timber in the basin, the completion of which has
only been effected within a few weeks. The Branch
Canal has been extended from the Dam near Weidman's
Forge, to the Great Dam ; a towing path, constructed
along the margin of the Reservoir to its head, from which
place the Canal has been extended to the basins at Pine
Grove ; from thence the grading of the Rail Road has
been, extended for 3 miles 57 chains, along the valley
of the Swatara Creek, into the coal region. The whole
work is now complete, except the Rail Road, for which

( 6 )

the sleepers are nearly all sawed ; the iron rails are
near the spot, and ready to be laid down , the road
can be finished early in the spring, if found to be ne-
cessary.

The Great Dam is a subject of pride with the Ma-
nagers, and they offer their congratulations to the Stock-
holders, on the completion of this extensive and impor-
tant undertaking. The magnitude and utility of this
work, constructed in the Swatara Gap of the Blue
Mountain, will be better understood by a more detailed
account than is usually given by the Board of Managers,
and they feel assured, that in so doing they will meet
the wishes of the Stockholders, and gratify the curiosity
of the public, whose interests are to a very great extent
identified with that of the Company.
. The Managers adopted a plan and report furnished
by Mr. White, and commenced operations in October,
1828, under the immediate superintendence of Mr.
William Lehman, Resident Engineer. It was resolved
to locate the work in a narrow part of the gorge through
which the Swatara passes, and near to the northern de-
clivity of the mountain ; the width of the pass at this
place is 430 feet. The Dam is divided into two parts,
and constructed on different principles ; the part on
the western side is of crib work, filled in with stone,
to which is added a backing of earth ; the other, which
connects it with the eastern side, is of stone and earth.
The crib work measures 200 feet across the stream,
and 40 feet in perpendicular height ; the timbers are
10 inches by 12 inches square; those at the base are of
white oak, and the superstructure of white pine, laid at
right angles, forming squares of from 6 feet to 8. feet
from centre to centre, firmly treenailed, filled with
stone, and strongly fitted against the mountain on the

( 7 )

west side, which furnishes an excellent abutment of
solid rock. The cast side of the cribs is sup])orted and
confined by an immense stone abutment, laid in hy-
draulic cement, which rises to the height of 48 feet,
being 8 feet higher than the cribs, and is intended to
protect the embankment of earth and stone from the
effects of the ice freshets. The apron in front of the
cribs is of white oak planks ; the cribs extend up the
stream 110 feet, with a backing of earth extending in
the same direction to the distance of 110 feet more,
making the base 220 feet up the stream, by 200 feet
across the same, covering a surface of 44,000 square
feet.

The second part, viz. — the embankment of earth
and stone, reaches from the stone abutment to the east
side of the Gap, a distance of 230 feet, and extends, at
the base, 260 feet up the stream, and 60 feet wide at
the water surface. The east side of the embankment is
well protected by a natural abutment of solid rock in
the mountain. This embankment rises 2 feet higher
than the stone abutment, viz. 50 feet, and covers a
surface of 59,800 square feet, which, united to the
sum of the space covered by the crib work, will give
103,800 square feet for the base of the structure, part
of which is natural. The whole, in the opinion of the
Managers, has been executed in a firm and substantial
manner.

The sluice-gates, 12 in number, are of cast iron, each
comprising a surface of 2 square feet; are connected
with pieces of yellow pine timber, of sufficient length
to extend several feet above the level of the water, and
can be either raised or lowered by means of screws.
The sluice-gates and the machinery are surrounded by
a strong frame-work, to guard the whole from the inju-

( 8 )

rious effects of ice freshets and floating timber. The
shiice house is connected with the western shore by
means of a light bridge^, raised beyond the utmost height
of the water in the reservoir, so that the gates may be
regulated with ease and safety at every stage of the
water.

The water from the reservoir passes through a sub-
stantial stone lock, on the east side, into the Canal.
When it is at its greatest height, the lift of the lock will
be 10 feet, but will diminish as the water is drawn off,
and may be reduced 10 feet without affecting the com-
munication with Pine Grove. The reservoir, when
filled, will form a lake, covering a surface of between
700 and 800 acres, and present to the eye an object
combining at once utility and beauty.

The claims for damages along the line of the Canals,
have, in most cases, been settled on equitable terms ;
some few, in which the demands were considered un-
reasonable, remain to be adjusted.

At Pine Grove, where the Canal terminates, and the
Rail Road begins, extensive basins have been commenc-
ed, for the accommodation of the coal trade, and will
be finished some time in the next month.

Annexed, is the Treasurer's account^, the amount of
tonnage, and a statement of the receipt for tolls.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

WILLIAM READ, President

Phifadeljjhia, November IGth, 1830.

( 9 )

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( 10 )

The whole amount of tonnage which passed the Canal,
from the 1st of November, 1829, to 1st of November,
1830, was 41,094 tons, 10 cwt., 0 qrs., 19 lbs., as fol-
lows : —

Tons.

5,766

cwt.

4

qrs.

2

lbs.

20

Flour.

4,205

17

3

Wheat.

770

5

2

Whiskey.

1,156

9

1

14

Iron.

1,038

9

1

Coal.

12,367

8

2

Lumber.

1,859

9

Shingles.

60

2

2

Staves.

3,930

16

3

17

Gypsum.

809

16

2

10

Fish.

2,177

19

2

Salt.

3,592

19

22

Merchandise.

"^ 358

11

1

20

C Flax seed, clover seed, butter, lard.

KJm*J\JO

X X

X

/^\J

^ leather, limestone, soap, bricks, &c.

41,094

10

0

19

In regard to tolls, the amount of cash received, from
November 1st, 1829, to November 1st, 1830, was
35,133 dollars 82 cents; of this sum, 32,636 dollars
23 cents was received, from April 1st, to November
1st, 1830.

( 11 )

RATES OP TOL.L.

XTPON THIS UNION CANAL.-1830.

•i.,ii

Toll

ARTICLES.

PER TOX, Stc.

|,. r

till whole

Mik-.

Uittaucc

Ciiiti

Dolls. Cm.

Ashes, pot and pearl.

Per Ton of 7 barrels.

li

1 20

Bark,

Cord,

1

0 80

Do. ground, ....

Ton,

n

1 00

Bricks, .....

Ton of 500,

i

0 60

Beef, salted, ....

Ton of 8 barrels.

n

1 20

Boards and other sawed stuff, . >

1000 feet, board ?
measure, - 3

n

1 00

Barley,

Ton of 50 bushels.

n

1 20

Butter,

Ton,

n

1 20

Clay,

Ton,

i

0 40

Cider, ?

Ton of 8 barrels, ?
or 2 Hhds. 5

n

1 20

Coal, - ■ .

Ton,

i

0 60

Corn, Indian, ....

Ton of 40 bushels.

H

1 20

Earth,

Ton,

i

0 40

Fish, salted, . , . . i

Ton of 7^ barrels, 7
or 14 half-bbls. 3

H

1 20

Flour,

Ton of 10^ barrels.

n

1 20

Furniture, household.

Ton,

2

1 60

Grindstones, - . - .

Ton,

1

0 80

Gypsum,

Ton,

1

0 80

Hay,

Ton,

1

0 80

Hoop poles, for barrels,

Ton of 400 "^

Do. for hogsheads and pipes,

Ton of 200

1

0 80

Heading for do.

Ton of 400 f

Do. for barrels, .

Ton of 500

Iron, bar, blooms, or wrought, .

Ton,

u

1 00

Do. castings, - - - .

Ton,

H

1 00

Do. ore, ....

Ton,

i

0 40

Do. pig, ....

Ton,

1

0 80

Lard,

Ton,

H

1 20

Lime, - . - - -

Ton of 28 bushels.

1

0 60

Limestone, ....

Ton,

i

0 40

Manure, .....

Ton,

i

0 40

Marble, unwrought, ...

Ton,

1

0 60

Do. manufactured,

Ton,

2

1 60

Merchandise, -

Ton,

2

1 60

Mill stones, and French burrs, .

Ton,

11

1 00

Oats, - .

Ton of 80 bushels.

H

1 20

Oysters,

Ton of 4000,

2

1 60

Pork, salted, ....

Ton of 8 barrels.

H

1 20

Posts, and rails, split,

Hundred,

1

0 80

Rye, .....

Ton of 40 bushels,

H

1 20

Rosin, .....

Ton of 8 barrels,

2

1 60

Salt, fine, ....

Ton of 45 bushels, ^
Ton of 32 bushels, 3

^

1 60

Do. coarse, ....

^

( 12 )

ARTICLES.

PER TON, &c.

per

Mile.

Toll
the whole
Distance.

Seed, clover, - - - -

Do. flax, ....

Do. of all other kinds, -
Shingles, ....

Straw, .....
Staves, for pipes, ...

Do. for hogsheads.

Do. for barrels, - . -

Stone,

Tar,

Timber, round and square.

Wheat,

Whiskey, and other domestic disO

tilled spirits, - - - 5
Window glass, ...

Wood,

On all articles, not enumerated, ^

passing eastward, - - 5
On all articles, not enumerated, 7

passing westward, - • y
On passage boats, ...
On boats used for transportation, 7

carrying over 5 tons, . 3

On boats, if empty, or carrying nof^

more than 5 tons, besides the >

toll on cargo, - - - j

For passing the outlet locks at Mid-

dletown, (except such boats as have

come or are going immediately on

the Union Canal,)

On every loaded boat.

On every empty boat.

Per Ton of 40 bushels, |

Thousand,
Ton,

Ton of 400 "^

Ton of 500 <

Ton of 600 J

Ton of fou^fifth3 of:
a perch, - ]

Ton of 7 barrels,
90 solid feet,
Ton of 40 bushels.
Ton of 2 Hhds, :
or 8 barrels, j
Ton of 2800 feet.
Cord,

Ton,

Ton,
Mile,
Mile,

Mile,

Cents

Dolls. Cts.
1 20

0 60

0 40

0 80

0 40

60

00

20

1 40

1 60

0 80

1 20

1 60

16 GO

1 60

3 20

0 7S
0 50